City budget recap for District 22

Councilman Costa Constantinides represents District 22

When Mayor de Blasio and Council Speaker Corey Johnson shook hands at City Hall, that marked the end of this year’s budget negotiations.

The $92.8 billion city budget, which will take effect on July 1, will mean millions of dollars of capital investments in Astoria.

Councilman Costa Constantinides, who represents District 22, was on the Council’s Budget Negotiation Team.

Here is his list of some of the budget wins for the neighborhood:

• Parks and greenery
  • $4.6 million for renovations at Gorman Playground in nearby East Elmhurst
  • $500,000 for outdoor furniture and plant beds at Astoria Houses Community Center
• Schools
  • $160,000 hydroponic labs for PS 2, IS 10, PS 151, PS 234, PS 235 and Q397
  • $900,000 for tech upgrades at district schools
  • $35,000 for STEM cards, $85,000 for new laptops at Q397
  • $100,000 for early childhood library at PS 70
  • $175,000 for gym renovations at IS 141
  • $285,000 for rapid-fill water bottle stations at PS 2, PS 17, PS 84, PS 85, PS 122, PS 151, PS 171 and PS 234
  • $250,000 for high-speed Wi-Fi upgrades at Young Women’s Leadership Academy
  • $150,000 for electrical upgrades in 11 classrooms for A/Cs at PS 70
• Transportation
  • $300,000 for DOT to improve pedestrian safety along Astoria Boulevard from 80th Street to 90th Street
  • $180,000 for real-time passenger information stations